iPhone 4 Case Reviews - Slider, Vibe, CandyShell, Reveal

[OnNightfall]

Hey guys, I’m writing this review on these four iPhone 4 cases in hopes of saving somebody time and money. I previously owned each one of these cases so this is based on my experience with them. Let me know what you think. In order to make this easier on the eye I will be rating the cases 1-5 in categories of Style, Functionality, Maintenance, and Drop Protection. I know most of this is a matter of opinion and my likes and dislikes may not be the same as yours but I hope it will give you a better idea about cases that you may have been interested in.


1. Incase Slider

The Incase Slider looks fantastic. It is the best of the list in Style because it is just plain sexy and feels just right. Functionality is great but not perfect because the buttons are a little difficult to press but you get used to it. Maintenance is a 4 because though sometimes it leaves finger prints, it does not scratch and all it takes is a quick wipe and it looks really good because of the matte finish. The front under the case sometimes gets some dust and stuff but nothing major and easy to blow out. Drop protection is standard though some have mentioned they have dropped it and have had no problems. I'd like to also note that this was the only case when tested that did not have the flash issue.

Style: 5
Functionality: 4
Maintenance: 4
Drop Protection: 3
Overall: 16

Flash Issue on the case reviewed? No
Antenna Issue on the case reviewed? No


2. Body Glove Vibe

The Body Glove Vibe looks really good because of its shiny metallic color. Functionality is the best of the list because of its large openings. You can use any third party head phones, dock connectors and it’s really easy to access all the buttons. Maintenance is a 4 because though it leaves finger prints, it does not scratch easily and all it takes is a quick wipe and it looks really good because of the glossy metallic finish. Drop protection is standard. I'd like to also note that the fit was a little too tight but it does not hurt the phone.

Style: 4
Functionality: 5
Maintenance: 4
Drop Protection: 3
Overall: 16

Flash Issue on the case reviewed? Yes
Replacement case available? Yes
Antenna Issue on the case reviewed? No


3. Speck CandyShell

The Speck CandyShell looks great the first day you put it on, a couple hours later you have scratches and swirl marks all over the back and because of this it is the lowest of the list. Functionality is a 2 because it does not work with all head phones or dock connectors and the vibrate toggle is a tad bit difficult to get too and again making worst in the list for this category. Maintenance is a 3 because you have to wipe the back often to make it look decent because of the finger prints etc. Drop protection is a 5, the best of the list. It has a rubber interior and a hard plastic exterior making it very good on drop protection. I'd like to also note that taking the case off is very difficult compared to the other three cases.

Style: 2
Functionality: 2
Maintenance: 3
Drop Protection: 5
Overall: 12

Flash Issue on the case reviewed? Yes
Replacement case available? Yes
Antenna Issue on the case reviewed? No


4. Griffin Reveal

The Griffin Reveal looks alright. Functionality lacks because I noticed I still had some antenna issues when gripped. Maintenance is a low 2 because since it’s clear in the back you see all the dust and crap that builds up so you have to clean it often, plus it leaves finger prints and scratches easy so it is worst of the list in this category. Drop protection is standard. I'd like to also note that this was the only case when tested that continued to drop bars when held with a death grip.

Style: 3
Functionality: 3
Maintenance: 2
Drop Protection: 3
Overall: 11

Flash Issue on the case reviewed? Yes
Replacement case available? Yes
Antenna Issue on the case reviewed? Yes/Somewhat


Overall The Incase Slider and the Body Glove Vibe tied for first. The Speck CandyShell came in second and the Griffin Reveal came in third. If you want Style go for the Incase Slider, If you want Functionality go for the Body Glove Vibe, If you want low Maintenance go with either the Incase Slider or the Body Glove Vibe and if you want Drop Protection go with the Speck CandyShell. Hope this helps someone!

 

[eddiec312]

Is that the updated version of the Candyshell you reviewed or the old?

 

[djransom]

Is that the updated version of the Candyshell you reviewed or the old?

Looks like they didn't change much on the new Candyshells besides the camera hole. Everything else looks the same.

 

[OnNightfall]

Is that the updated version of the Candyshell you reviewed or the old?

The review is based on the old Speck CandyShell but dj is right. The only difference that I know of between the old and new CandyShell is a bigger cutout for flash.

I kept the reviews quick and to the point. If anyone wants more details please feel free to ask. =-)

 

[OnNightfall]

bump, anyone find these reviews helpful?

 

[joec1101]

Looks like they didn't change much on the new Candyshells besides the camera hole. Everything else looks the same.

they also enlarged the dock connector hole to accommodate aftermarket dock connectors

 

[Megalobyte]

I'd say the incase slider while not being a hard core protective case like the otterbox, offers a little more than standard drop protection, though you might not think so by just looking at it.

Many cases will open or come apart when dropped, (or crack) which negates much of their drop protection, the incase however does not, no matter how it hits the floor.

I find it offers above average protection in a sleek package.

I also do not find the buttons hard to operate, and I have large fingers. Good review though, thanks.

 

[linsam]

Helpful review. Thanks.

One question: Is it very difficult to remove the iPhone from the Speck case?

 

[OnNightfall]

Hey guys, I spent some time adding some more information, color coding the best and worst ratings of the categories and included pictures. Thanks for your post Megalobyte, some guys might agree with you about drop protection and button access. The Incase Slider is hands down the best case I've owned and after owning four that's saying a lot. Thanks linsam, It is terribly difficult to remove the iPhone from the Speck case, I will actually add this to my review. The only time I took it off was when I was about to return it but I don't recommend taking it off often.

 

[linsam]

Hey guys, I spent some time adding some more information, color coding the best and worst ratings of the categories and included pictures. Thanks for your post Megalobyte, some guys might agree with you about drop protection and button access. The Incase Slider is hands down the best case I've owned and after owning four that's saying a lot. Thanks linsam, It is terribly difficult to remove the iPhone from the Speck case, I will actually add this to my review. The only time I took it off was when I was about to return it but I don't recommend taking it off often.

Thanks so much for answering my question. Your input really helped. I will definitely be ordering the Mauve Incase Slider on Monday.

 

[OnNightfall]

Thanks so much for answering my question. Your input really helped. I will definitely be ordering the Mauve Incase Slider on Monday.

That's a great choice linsam. You know what you could do, you can stop by your local Best Buy and have an employee remove the case from the packaging and let you try it on before you order or purchase. They let me do this at my local Best Buy. At least that way you can try it before you buy it. Don't know if your Best Buy will be kool with it but stop by and ask if it's ok.

 

[linsam]

That's a great choice linsam. You know what you could do, you can stop by your local Best Buy and have an employee remove the case from the packaging and let you try it on before you order or purchase. They let me do this at my local Best Buy. At least that way you can try it before you buy it. Don't know if your Best Buy will be kool with it but stop by and ask if it's ok.

Great idea, but I know I'll love it. I had an Incase Slider for my 3GS. Loved it. Love Incase stuff. Thanks, again, for your help and input. Much appreciated.

 

[dagomike]

Cool pictures of the Body Glove! LOL...

 

[daemonite]

I have the Reveal case and have no antenna signal problems, weird that yours does.

 

[OnNightfall]

I have the Reveal case and have no antenna signal problems, weird that yours does.

Yea, unlike the other cases that when I used the death grip it did not change my bars. The reveal still lost 2 bars on average gripped. I did not understand it much myself. I thought maybe the rubber on the sides were too thin? Which Reveal you got? The first one or the fixed one?

 

[OnNightfall]

UPDATE

Hey guys, just wanted to update this thread. Some have reported that the Incase Slider scratched their phone. I made a poll to see how many had this happen to them and it seems about half.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/992732/

I did not experience this issue but since my last Incase Slider for my 3G scratched the hell out of my 3G it started to worry me. I was also missing the fact that my Body Glove Vibe was so much easier to access the buttons and never collected dust and stuff under the screen. Well just in time Body Glove sent me their fix for the flash issue and I quickly returned the Incase Slider to Best Buy.

The new Body Glove Vibe has a bigger hole and a black inner lining for the hole. I tested the flash and no way in hell their will ever be a flash issue with this case no matter what color. Also they updated the inside with a soft cloth like material to protect your phone from scratches and to make it easier to slide the phone in. Overall I am very happy with the Body Glove Vibe. It is the most underrated, rarely talked about, underdog bad ass Slider. Check out the pics of my girl friends case.